Manon: "I've never stopped to consider what true strength is... but I think I already know."
Another Phrases
"You weren't bad... At being thrown around, that is to say. You must have enjoyed it—You came to be thrown again, yes?"
"Could it be that you won't be satisfied until you do some throwing yourself, too? No need to be shy! You can try throwing me."
"Sorry about that... I just can't resist such an opening. Throwing is all about position and timing. If you haven't got a feel for it yet. Perhaps you and I should go another round."
"You're not bad. Not bad in the slightest. I'll be shooting here for a while longer. If ever you're in the mood to get thrown, come for a visit. And you know, not only would that be a big help for me... But you might even learn something about throwing as well! Heh heh."
"Have you ever noticed that you're distinctly... how do you say, not beautiful? Oh, that came out wrong. Let me rephrase that. That outfit you're wearing. Do you actually think it's beautiful? "
"I guess that wasn't much different. Oh well. Anyway, I don't like your outfit. Change into something else. Talk to my manager for the details."
"Honestly, the outfit isn't what matters. What matters is that you're aware of your appearance from the outside. Yet another facet through which strength finds expression."
"You've learned how I fight. But have you fought opponents with a different fighting style? An inter-style fight, essentially. I can't recommend it enough."
"Well? How was it facing other styles? Personally, I often face a wide variety of opponents. It makes me feel like I'm drawing ever closer to "true" strength. That goes for more than judo. It's essential in the world of street fighting as well. Don't settle. Experiment."
"You've a question for me? By all means." (Do you prefer fighting, or modeling?) "Hee hee, it's been some time since I heard that one! There's only the faintest gap between them, but if I had to choose... it would probably be modeling."
"I became a model of my own volition. The chance presented itself, and I took it. Practicing judo made others think me unsophisticated. But I've always had an interest in fashion. In high school, I got taller and better with makeup,and caught the eye of a fashion designer. As luck would have it, she was a friend of my mother's. After a two week boot camp, I was walking down the runway."
"Around the same time, I entered my first global judo tournament. Truth be told, the pressure was so great that I couldn't even choke down food. But I pulled it off. I kept telling myself, "You're strong, Manon.""
"My debut as a model was my true starting point. I'm not going to let my career just fizzle out. I will be the strongest idol on Earth!"
"I took up judo as part of my father's educational priorities. Between that and the enthusiastic encouragement of my brothers, I suppose it was fated."
"Hee hee, I wanted to be queen of the ballet stage, but alas! But I don't regret it. It gave me the chance to approach world-class competition at an early age. The path I followed afterwards was up to me. Ballet expanded drastically with the introduction of pas de deux—routines for two dancers. We should experiment along similar lines. If you need a partner for a climactic duel, call me."
"If you're doing sightseeing, this traveling carnival is an absolute must-see. That's right. The whole thing is taken apart and moved elsewhere, like a traveling circus. I'm used to it, but if you ever want to enjoy some innocent fun, the carnival's a great place to do it."
"Do you have any habits for self-discipline? Frugal travel and a life of training? My, that certainly doesn't sound easy. But I think you could take it one step further. Why not set aside a day to eat only vegetables? Ecological benefits aside, it refreshes the body and mind, like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day."
"My manager tells me you've ended up studying under every fighter you've met so far. Just who ARE you? If you're studying to face other styles, fine, but how can you enroll under total strangers? Your first teacher instructed you to? Heh. I hope others don't follow in your footsteps!"
"The look on your face tells me you have a question. Hee hee... By all means." (What's your type?) "Goodness! And here I thought you hadn't the slightest interest in romance! I will think on this... If you wish to be with me, being able to break a fall with masterful grace is non-negotiable. I throw, and my partner receives. Our breaths align, flowing through all. If that balance falters, it's over. The match is finished. No extensions. Does that help? That's right—you'd best ensure your ukemi is immaculate."
"Much like the millions of girls who follow me, I'm a confectionery connoisseur. I can't quite eat with the same laissez-faire attitude, however. But I complement that with the joy of making sweets, instead. Have you tried orangettes before? They're a true treasure of the confectionery world, made by boiling oranges in syrup. Simple to make, yet extremely time consuming. Perfect for days without anything on the schedule. How do they taste? superb, of course! My family and staff members have all given their stamps of approval. I'll give you some as a gift the next time I make some. You might have to wait a couple years, though."
"Autumn will soon be here. Chestnut harvesting season. We savor grilled chestnuts while awaiting the next season, when orangettes line patisserie shelves. This is no frivolous pleasure, of course. It's a delight to be earned through rigorous self-discipline. It fills me with a sense of pride, actually. You should give it a try yourself."
"I don't know if you've realized this, but my techniques incorporate movements from ballet. I took ballet lessons as a child. I'm little more than a spectator now, but I'm grateful I had the chance to learn. You can't understand the stage unless you've spent some time upon it, after all."
"My current manager is quick to act, but a little too strict and aloof, don't you agree? My previous manager was quite the opposite, but that brought its own set of problems. Today, she's renowned for her work ethic. Perhaps working with me helped her improve?"
"When I fight with a partner, I sense nothing but possibility. I wish to fight ever fiercer battles! You've a talent for seeking out teachers, mastering their movements, and performing them at will. That is the path you walk. If we suppose the strength you seek lies somewhere beyond..."
"When you find the mightiest teacher of all and make their skills your own, will your journey be over?" (I doubt it.) "Oh, really? I thought for sure you would call it quits. If your instincts disagree, though, it's best to follow them."
"The search for modeling perfection is an endless one. But the path you walk is a long one. Your talents are too numerous. Your understanding"
"of styles, skills, and mindsets too profound. Will you be able to find a single answer that transcends them all?" (You never know until you try!) "Ahahaha! Exactly right! Goodness, listen to me! What ever am I saying? I'm starting to sound like a worried old grandmother! I'd best watch myself."
"I enter tournaments against other styles to improve my judo technique. Something my father taught me. I've been mulling it over again, now that I'm on my own. That way of doing things suits me well. I became best in the world in judo, but stopping there gave me no other way to develop. I will continue pursuing greatness while being influenced by others. Not unlike a great artist, no?"
"Plus, nothing gets the fans more fired up than announcing a match against another style. Our goal is to get jaws to drop. To keep pushing forward, fearless in the face of defeat!"
"Focus on beauty and precision in your movements. It's essential for converting force into maximum energy. Let the laws of physics guide you. Physics is an art, painting martial arts and the entropy of the universe in beautiful, orderly brushstrokes."
"Beauty doesn't accept excuses. To insist that the strong are necessarily beautiful is a cudgel, unfit for discussions of aesthetic beauty. Even during workouts, I calculate precisely how much muscle mass I'm putting on each part of my body. A necessary process for maintaining a beautiful figure."
"Have you followed me on social media? I post photos from my matches on occasion. They're not always pretty, which can end up being a turn-off for some. But I've won over new fans too. Just as in nature, the old gives way to the new."
"You finally managed to take a point off me... Well, this is certainly exciting. The stronger the opponent, the more satisfying they are to throw. We must fight again sometime! And when we do, I'll show you what's what!"
"Filming takes time. Especially when the director fancies themselves an artist. I'm used to waiting here, but the carnival will be taken down shortly. This summer was full of oddities and amusements. I won't soon forget it. "
"...So, did you need something?" (Let's spar.) "Splendid! I was just thinking about how much I wanted to throw you!"
"Hee hee! Well, that was a nice change of pace. So, what is your impression of the street fighters in this country? Ah ha. Still unaware of their true nature, hmm? Savate, a mixed martial art that sometimes uses sticks. Fencing, a combat sport honed in the tumult of history. Their pulse courses through the back streets. I usually prefer to stay away, myself. But I've faced both in tournaments. Hee hee, it's always a fine opportunity to experiment with the possibilities of judo. Winning was far from simple. But judo has its strengths. And plenty of answers too! Ah, just thinking back to those throws gives me goosebumps! You know the sensation, yes? When the world steps into range, you throw it to the ground! So focus on your training. Particularly your ukemi."
"Absolutely incredible... And downright terrifying... I'm referring to you, of course. You're a genius when it comes to mimicking the styles of others...Or perhaps "performing" is more accurate. I hadn't mentioned this, but...I've been utterly floored by your talent. You make stealing skills look easy!"
"By comparison, what have I learned from facing other styles in tournaments? It made me question myself. That's when it hit me. You're like a boat traveling the seas as the heart commands. I follow a set course. We're not racing to the same destination. I want us to stay friends, no matter where we end up. After all, there's no one else who can imitate as many styles as you!"
"You know, training is all well and good, but do you have a goal in mind? I know you're dealing with circumstances of your own, but... Athletes should set clear goals for themselves. Entering a tournament or winning a medal, for example. That makes every day, every minute, every second of training extra meaningful."
"Concentrate. Focus your awareness. Drill down deep. Do so, and a brand new you awaits. That's how I found victory at the World Ultra Judo Championships. It's a very prestigious competition, yes. But that's not important. I accomplished the goal I set for myself, and proved my strength. That's what matters. Still, I was on cloud nine when I won. It felt like the audience would never stop applauding! It made me so happy,I decided to make my victory medal into an accessory. My father and brothers made quite the fuss about it. But I don't care. It's MY medal!"
"I'm sure you'll get to experience a similar excitement in the not-so-distant future. Be sure to show me your medal when you do! I'll design something truly stunning for you."
"Do you have a second? It's about something I'm planning for tomorrow. I'm quitting judo. It'll be au revoir...forever."
"Goodness, you reacted exactly as I expected! Sorry, it was a bad joke. I tried imagining what my life would be like if I never learned judo. Right, I probably would have become a model. I do love attention, after all. But I doubt that would have been enough to satisfy me. I want to show the world who I really am. So I think I would have pursued ballet, as a form of physical expression. And I...doubt I would have ever met you. Or, knowing you, perhaps you would have made your way to the ballet stage, in search of more moves to learn? Hee hee hee. Even if it came to that, you'd have nothing to fear. Just like back then, I'd let you play the ultimate supporting role. That's my job as leading lady, after all.
Master Missions
Master Assist
Learning a new technique
Sparring
Gifts
"Merci Beaucoup!" (Giving a gift to Manon)
"Ah, this is from that tournament! I made the real one into an accessory. It's been too long since I've seen it in its original form! Thank you! I'll be sure to take very good care of it!" (Reaction to Commemorative Medal)
"Muscles are beautiful? I quite agree. I always choose the finest cuts of meat at the butcher shop."
Notices
Reached a Bond of 100 in World Tour!
"You think this is an outfit chosen from a fashion show? Wrong. I can walk down the runaway in anything. Whether I'm on the catwalk or in the arena hardly matters-I'm always ready to pose for the cameras."
Happy Birthday, Manon!
"I have been up since the crack of dawn cooking and preparing for my birthday party. My friends and I are in for a lovely time. Oh yes, one of them is even coming over from Italy to join! Hehe, this is going to be a wonderful day!"
